Feed-water system.



PATBNTED-JUNE 30, 1903.A

D'. w. PATTERSON. EEED WATER SYSTEM. APPLICATION EILED APE. 22, 190s.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

No MODEL.

PATENTED JUNE 30, 19,03.

D. W. PATTERSON. FEED WATER SYSTEM.

A1=1=I.I JATI0N FILED APR. 22, 1903. 2 SHETS SHEET 2' N0 MODEL.

@Dvi Umano .tem embodying my invention.

p UNITED STATES Patented J'une 30, 1903.

"PATENT OFFICE.

DUNCAN w. PATTERSON, 0E PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIeNoR To MIRIAMH. PATTERSON, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FEED-WATER SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 732,438, dated J' une30, 1903.

Application inea Apriizz, 1903. l

To @ZZ whom, it may con/067%:

Be it known that I, DUNCAN W. PATTER- SON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inFeed-WaterSystems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to feed-water systems.

It consists of means for regulating the inflow of feed-Water to boilersand of,A calling attention to any deficiency or excess in the supply.

Figure 1 represents, partly in `vertical section and partly inelevation, a feed-water sys- Fig. 2 represents a high-water alarm, andFig. 3 alowwater alarm, both forming parts of my invention. Fig. 4represents a top plan view, partially broken away, of my deviceincorporating the parts shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 into one structure.Fig. 5 represents, on a reduced scale, a non-central vertical section ofthe diaphragm-case common to the three parts of my device. Fig. 6represents, on an enlarged scale, the means for attaching the valve tothe'diaphragm.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to Figs. 1, 5, and 6 of the drawings, 1 designates awater-column connected to the boiler (not shown) by pipes 2 and 3,located, respectively, above and below the water-level therein. Tightlysecured at the upper end of the column 1 is a diaphragmcase 4. Thisconnects with the column 1 by a tube 5, extending from the bottom of thediaphragm-case nearly to the bottom of the column and below thelow-Water level of said boiler, and by a second tube 6, extendingadjacent the top of the diaphragm-case and down in the column just tothe plane of the desired water-level of the boiler. A cored passage 7(clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings) in the side, top, and bottomwalls of the case 4 and opening thereinto also connects with the upperpart ofthe column. In the case 4 is an upright diaphragm 8, by which thecase is divided into two chambers 9 and 10, which for convenience I willdesignate as outer and inner chambers,respectively.

Serial'No. 153,742. (No model.)

Axially secured to the diaphragm 8 is a recessed socket 11,'n which isvertically adjustable a head l2, attached to the stem 13 of a valve 14.In the wall of the chamber 4 is a bossl, open to the air and forming twovalve-seats 16 and 17. Between these seats through the Wall of the boss14 is drilled a lateral aperture 13, from which leadsa tube 19 to thediaphragm-chamber of a valve 20. The valve 20,01" ordinary construction,is interposed in the feed-water pipeleading to the boiler. l

The operation is. as follows: At all times the chamber 9 will be filledwith steam, which enters from the boiler through the pipe 2 to thecolumn 1 and the passage 7 to the outer chamber9ofthediaphragm-case.Thesteam will enter through the small passage at the top, and the waterof condensation which will form in 9 will pass back to the column 1through the small passage at the bottom. When the water-level is belowthe lower end of the pipe 6,-the chamber 10 will also be full of steam.-The pressure per square inch on both sides of the diaphragm 8 will thenbe equal, and the valve 14 will be held against the seat 16 by both thenatural position of the diaphragm and by the pressure in the chamber 9against the unbalanced area of the valve 14. There Will then be anaperture between the valve 14 and the seat 17 open to the air. As therewill be no pressure in the pipe 19 or diaphragm-chamber of the valve 20,the latter will be opened both by the excess pressure of the feed-waterover the steampressure in the boiler and the `action of thethrust-spring 21. The valve 2O being opened thefeed-water will enter theboiler and the water-level will rise in the boiler and in the column 1,which is connected to the former by the pipes 2 and 3. When the watercovers the lower end of the pipe 6, it will form a seal, preventingsteam entering the .chamber 10. The steam which was inthe' chamber l0before this took place now condenses, as the walls of thediaphragm-chamber4 are relatively thin and exposed to the cooling effectof the air. The vacuum which this condensation tends to create will beimmediately filled with water, which will pass up through IOO the pipe(i and the pipe 5, the lower end of the latter being always below thesurface of the water. The pressure in the chamber 10 will be less thanthe pressure in the chamber 9 by the pressure of the head of a column ofwater from the chamber 10 to the water-level. This difference inpressure on the large area of the diaphragm S moves it to the left,lifting with it the valve 14 from the seat 16 and holding it against theseat 17. The steampressure will be communicated through the pipe 19 tothe diaphragm-chamber of the valve 20, thereby pressing down the valveand shutting off the supply of water tothe boiler. NVith no waterentering the boiler the evaporation of the water into steam will causethe level to fall, and when it falls below the end of the pipe 6 thesteam will pass up the pipe G to the chamber 10, while the water in 10will sink down through the pipe 5 back to the boiler. The conditionswill then be similar to those first described. The valve 14 will bebrought against the seat 16 and away from the seatA 17.A This releasesthe pressure in the pipe 19, and the valve 2O will open. Theseoperations will be repeated and the valve 2O opened or shut as the watergets below or above the bottom of the pipe G.

In the high-water-alarm feature of my device (shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings) the column 1, pipes 2 and 3, diaphragm-case 4, tubes 5 and 6,passage 7, diaphragm 8, socket 11, head 12, and valve 13 are as vabovedescribed, except that the tube 6 is shortened, so as to reach only theplane of the high-water level in the boiler. The valve 14 has a singleoperative face normally bearingagai ust aseat 1G in the boss 15. The endof the boss 15 is closed, and in the lateral opening 1S is secured awhistle 22. 'lhe operation is as follows: So long as the water remainsat the proper level, as indicated in the drawings, or until it risesnearly to the point indicated by the dotted line, the pressure on bothsides of the diaphragm 8 will be equal. In this case the valve 14 isclosed. When the lower end of the tube 6 is sealed by the rising water,the steam in the inner chamber 10 of the diaphragm-case 4 condenses. Thepressure then falls, and the diaphragm Sis forced in the direction toopen the valve 14. The escaping steam sounds the whistle 22. The whistlecontinues to sound so long as the water remains above the lower end ofthe tube 6, a structure similar to that just described, as shown in Fig.3. This constitutes the lowwater-alarm feature of my device. The onlydierences are that the tube Gis here carried down to the plane of thelow-Water level of the boiler and the valve 14 and seat 16 are reversedin direction, so as to open when the diaphragm moves toward thevalve-seat. The

' valve will be held in this closed position so of the tube. Steam thenpasses to the inner chamber 10 of the case 4 and the pressure on thediaphragm is equalized. This opens the valve 14, as shown in dottedlines, and sounds the whistle 22.

The advantage of loosely connecting the valve 15 to the diaphragm 8 bythe means clearly shown in Fig. Gis that the position of the valve withreference to its seat is not disturbed by any irregular contraction ofthe diaphragm. The head 12 moves in the socket 11, so as to adjustitself to a slight variation. The advantage of. the cored passage 7, bywhich steam is admitted to the chamber 9 at its upper and lower ends, isthat any condensed water will be blown out without blocking the passage.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings I have shown the three features of mydevice-the feed-water regulator and the high and low water alarmsunitedin one structure. 'lhis is the form of my device which I prefer. An endwater-col umn 1, connected to the boiler by pipes 2 and 3, carries atits upper end three diaphragmeases, like those of the .first threefigures. The tube 19, valve 20, and whistle 22 I have not deemed itnecessary to showin this ligure. It is clear that the operation of thedevice is not affected by this change of form.

It will be evident that various changes may be made by those skilled inthe art which may come within the scope of my invention, and I do not,therefore, desire to be limited in every instance to the exactconstruction herein shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A combined boiler feed-water regulator and alarm comprising aplurality of diaphragm-cases, diaphragms in each of said cases, an outerand an inner chamber in each of said cases separated by said diaphragme,a valve connected to each of said diaphragms, one of said valves beingoperatively connected with a feed-water valve and at least one other ofsaid valves with an alarm and means for the successive disturbance ofthe balance of each of said diaphragme whereby said valves aresuccessively operated.

2. A combined boiler feed-Water regulator and alarm comprising aplurality of diaphragm-cases, diaphragms in each of said eases, an outerand an inner chamber in each of said cases separated by said diaphragms,a valve connected to each of said diaphragme, one of said valves beingoperatively connected with a feed-water valve and at least one other ofsaid valves with an alarm, means for the continuous admission of steamto each of said outer diaphragm-chambers, means connecting each of saidinner diaphragm-chambers with the boiler below its low-water level andmeans for the successive admission of steam to each of said innerdiaphragm-chambers as the water in said boiler falls.

3. A combined boiler feed-water regulator ICO and alarm, comprising awater-column, a plurality of diaphragm-cases connected with said column,diaphragms in each of said cases, an outer and an inner chamber in eachof said cases separated by said diaphragms, valves connected with eachof said diaphragms, one of said valves being operatively connected witha feed water valve and at least one other of said valves with an alarm,and means whereby the variation of the water-level in said column-caseacts to open and close said valves in a predetermined order.

4. A combined boiler feed-water regulator and alarm comprising awater-column, a plurality of diaphragm-cases connected With said column,diaphragms in each of said cases, an outer and an inner chamber in eachof said cases separated by said diaphragms, a valve connected to each ofsaid diaphragms, one of said valves being operatively connected with afeed-water valve and at least one other of said valves with an alarm,means for the continuous admission of steam to each of said outerdiaphragm-chambers, means connecting each of said innerdiaphragm-chambers with the boiler below its low-Water level and meansfor the successive admission of steam to each of said innerdiaphragm-chambers, as the water in said boiler falls.

5. In a boiler feed-water regulator, adiaphragm-case, a diaphragm insaid case, an inner and an outer chamber in said case and separated bysaid diaphragm, means for the continuous admission of steam to saidouter chamber, means for connecting said inner chamber to said boilerbelow its low-water level, means for the admission of steam to saidinner chamber only when the Water in said boiler sinks below apredetermined level, and a valve connected to said diaphragm andoperative alternately to admit steam to and emit steam from thediaphragm-chamber of a second valve by which the supply of feedwater tothe boiler is controlled.

6. A boiler feed water regulator, a diaphragm-case, a diaphragm in saidcase, an outer and an inner chamber in said case separated bysaiddiaphragm,means for the continuous admission of steam to said outerchamber, means for connecting said inner chamt ber with said boilerbelow its water-level,

and said valve whereby said valve may adjust itself to an eccentricposition on said diaphragm.

8. In a valve, a diaphragm, a valve operated by said diaphragm, arecessed socket attached to said diaphragm and a head on the stem ofsaid valve adjustable in said socket whereby said valve may adj ustitself to an eccentric position in relation to said diaphragm.

9. A combined boiler feed-water regulator and alarm, comprising awater-column, a plurality of diaphragm-cases connected with said column,diaphragms in each of said cases, an outer and an inner chamber in eachof said cases separated by said diaphragms, a valve connected with eachof said diaphragms, one of said valves being operatively connected witha feed-water valve and at least one other of said valves with an alarm,means for the continuous admission of steam to each of saiddiaphragm-chambers consisting of a passage leading from saidwater-column to the upper part of said chamber, means for the return ofthe Water of condensation from said outer diaphragm-chamber to saidcolumn, consisting of a passage leading from the lower part of saidchamber to the said water-column, means connecting each of said innerdiaphragm-chambers with the boiler below its low-water level and meansfor the successive*l admission of steam to each of said innerdiaphragm-chambers, as the water in said boiler falls.

10. A combined feed-water regulator and alarm comprising a water-column,a plurality of diaphragm-cases connected with said column, diaphragms ineach of said cases, an outer and an inner chamber in each of said casesseparated by said diaphragms, a valve connected to each of saiddiaphragms, one of said valves being operatively connected with afeed-water valve and at least one other of said valves with an alarm,means for the continuous admission of steam to each of said outerdiaphragm-chambers, means connectingeach of said innerdiaphragm-chambers with the boiler below its low-water level consistingof a tube leading from the lower part of said column substantially tothebottom of said inner chamber, and means for the successive admission ofsteam to each of said inner diaphragm-chambers as the water in saidboiler falls, said means consisting of a tube I'co

